Maryam Nawaz highlights potential placer gold deposits in Punjab’s five rivers and announces investment incentives, including concessional financing of up to Rs5 billion.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has highlighted the potential presence of placer gold deposits in all five rivers of Punjab, particularly around Mianwali and Attock, as the provincial government seeks to attract investment in the mining and minerals sector.
Speaking at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad on Thursday, Maryam said the province’s rivers could hold significant gold resources, presenting fresh opportunities for mineral exploration and investment.
The forum aims to unlock Pakistan’s mineral potential and attract domestic and international investors to exploration, mining and processing projects. The chief ministers of Balochistan and Sindh, along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, also attended the event.
Describing Pakistan as a country rich in natural resources, Maryam said its wealth extended both above and beneath the ground. She stressed the importance of exploring these resources and converting them into economic opportunities.
Referring to Punjab’s identity as the land of five rivers, the chief minister said the province also had considerable mineral potential. She added that gold deposits were believed to exist across all five waterways, with particular attention to areas surrounding Mianwali and Attock.
However, the remarks highlighted the potential presence of gold deposits rather than confirming commercially recoverable reserves.
Maryam also pointed to an increase in revenue generated by Punjab’s Mines and Minerals Department, saying collections had risen from approximately Rs10 billion two and a half years ago to Rs40 billion.
“This is just the beginning,” she said, expressing confidence in the future of the province’s mining industry.
The chief minister said the provincial government was working to establish a business-friendly environment by removing administrative hurdles that could discourage investors. She identified bureaucratic delays, unnecessary procedures and red tape as major obstacles requiring attention.
To simplify the investment process, the government is introducing a one-window system that will allow investors to complete the necessary formalities without visiting multiple departments.
Maryam said the provincial government was also making substantial capital investments to reduce the financial burden on businesses entering the mining sector. The measures include efforts to limit the need for investors to purchase expensive land and commit large amounts of capital at the initial stage.
Additionally, the government is offering concessional financing of up to Rs5 billion to support investment in mining projects. Solar-powered energy solutions will also be provided to help investors manage high electricity and fuel expenses.
The initiatives form part of Punjab’s broader strategy to attract domestic and international investment, expand mineral exploration and develop its natural resources.
The potential gold deposits in the province’s five rivers could create further opportunities for the mining industry, although their commercial value would depend on detailed exploration, assessment and subsequent development.
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